Can get visuals while not actively trying, but nothing when I actively try to

[LoveBattery]

I've run into the annoying problem where if I'm reading, listening to a story someone is telling me or listening to a podcast and I don't actively try to make anything appear, hey I get pretty good visuals!

 

But when it comes down to actually sitting down and trying to make even the most basic thing appear, anything at all I draw a total blank.

 

I've tried all the visualization guides on how to practice (and I get visuals when I read some of these even!) but I can't visualize my tulpa or anything else I try to make appear.

 

Any help would be great!~

[Ashmo]

Practice makes perfect. How long have you been trying?

 

Also, you said that when you read things you can visualize? Why not try writing things out to and about your tulpa and reading it. If you can write descriptively enough you should be able help yourself get into the habit of seeing things in your mind's eye.

 

Are you able to hold these images when you stop reading? Say, when you read a line, see it, and then stop top think about it? Try holding the image in your mind a little longer each time you do this to help strengthen your mind's eye.

[Chupi]

I have had this problem, it's really annoying. I think the cause is that you're not used to or comfortable with visualizing. Your brain knows how to do it, but you aren't familiar enough with it to be able to consciously trigger it or maintain it while becoming aware of it happening. Best I can say is don't give any thought to the process of visualizing. Instead pay attention to what you're visualizing: your tulpa and any wonderland you might have. When you see IRL you don't pay attention to the process of seeing. You pay attention to what you're seeing. Do the same here.

 

Relaxing and getting into a trance will likely help you as well. Get fairly comfortable but not so comfortable that you'll just fall asleep. Relax as much as you can. Mentally scan through your body and any part that's still got some tension in it, tense it up fully until it feels a little tired, then let go and let it relax more than it was. Focus as much as you can on your breathing, a spot on or in your head, or some other thing that's stable, just there and not emotionally loaded.

 

If you lose focus, bring your mind back to it gently; don't get upset or frustrated. If it keeps happening and you can't maintain focus, go do something else for a while or just let your mind drift, and come back to it later. If external distractions happen, don't let them get to you, but don't try to forcibly block them out either. Just let them flow through, acknowledged but ignored. It may help you to imagine that you're disconnecting from them in some way.

 

Once you've sunk deep enough, move your focus to your tulpa and wonderland. No need to intentionally try to visualize anything, since you know that doesn't work at present. Focus 100% on them and nothing else. If you can imagine one sense best, pay attention to that one. In my case touch is easiest, so I reach out and feel my tulpa. I don't think about the process of feeling, but if the textures don't come on their own I remind myself what texture is there, usually by describing it to myself verbally. If you focus on the sense that's strongest for you, other senses should start to come on their own.

 

Don't evaluate how well or poorly you're doing; that will only detract from your focus, and you'll have plenty of time to do that when you're done forcing. Also don't fret about how long you've been going for. Constantly stopping to check the clock really breaks up your concentration. If you need to be someplace, set an alarm and forget about it. If you like you can try and find a phone app or wristwatch that can make a quiet chime periodically.

 

Continue this and over time you'll get more used to visualizing. You'll learn the feel of it, and then you'll be able to make it happen just by wanting it to.

[zerofox21898]

-snip-

This is actually pretty clever. I've had the aforementioned issue for a while now and have just kind of been dealing with it. Obviously I haven't bothered to make a post but cheers man.